Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 6, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following:

8.–Section 5 of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 is hereby repealed in so far as the section relates to limitation of election expenses and accordingly sections 72 and 75 of the Electoral Act 1997 are hereby revived to that extent.

I put it to the Minister that there should be an expenditure limit in regard to local elections. I know there are difficulties in respect of limiting election expenses for general elections. However, it creates a level playing pitch for candidates. There is a great deal of money wasted during general election campaigns even within current expenditure levels. If unlimited expenditure is allowed, it will put pressure on people to spend more money because they will believe themselves to be in competition with everyone else. It would be a good idea to limit local election expenditure. This would end the waste of money, level the playing pitch and limit the amount of money candidates would spend. It would also prevent the making of donations, behind which there is a particular impetus, to cover election campaigns.